True crime podcasts and docuseries are the third-largest genre in entertainment. Yet, many shows frame maternal maltreatment as a “mystery” (e.g., “Why did the son snap?” ) rather than a predictable outcome of unaddressed childhood facial abuse. This aestheticizes suffering.
Look at your own face in the mirror. Look at the faces of the mothers in your life. And ask yourself: Is the entertainment I pay for, the lifestyle I curate, and the silence I keep—is it protecting abusers or survivors?
: Mothers with a history of CM may experience higher levels of household chaos, often mediated by depressive symptoms. Intergenerational Transmission
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or neglect, there are resources available to help:
Facial abuse, a form of emotional abuse, is a particularly insidious form of maternal maltreatment. It involves the use of facial expressions, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues to belittle, humiliate, or intimidate a child. Facial abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse, leading to feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and anxiety.
